Report: Knicks opposed to trading future first-round picks

There have been some surprising reports over the past week about the New York Knicks potentially being buyers at the trade deadline next month, but they remain unlikely to land a star player.

The Knicks have been opposed to trading future first-round picks for players over the past few years, and SNY’s Ian Begley reports that they are sticking with that approach this season. While Begley notes that it could be “posturing” for the Knicks in trade talks, sources told him the team is committed to keeping future first-round picks off the table.

New York traded future first-round picks in deals involving Carmelo Anthony and Andrea Bargnani several years ago, and they believe that has inhibited their ability to assemble contending teams. The Knicks currently hold all of their own future first-round picks in addition to two future first-rounders from the Dallas Mavericks for the Kristaps Porzginis trade, and they are intent on keeping them.

A recent report claimed the Knicks have inquired about trading for Andre Drummond, but the Detroit Pistons will likely be looking for at least one first-round pick in any potential deal involving the big man. New York has expiring contracts with players like Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson and Frank Ntilikina, but that probably would not be enough. Drummond is having a career year with 17.6 points and 15.9 rebounds per game, and he is heading for free agency this summer.

The Knicks are 11-29 and once again one of the worst teams in the NBA, so it would still be a surprise if they make any big splashes by acquiring starting-caliber players before the deadline. Their draft picks should be more important to them at this stage.